IN FORM batsman Kevin Waterhouse helped Congleton streak to victory on Saturday in a match memorable for more than just top strokeplay.

Waterhouse smashed an excellent 53 runs off only 52 balls as Congleton beat Ashton on Mersey at home to stay in fourth place in the league table.

A more dubious highlight of the Congleton innings was the first ever streaker seen at the Booth Street ground.

The unknown man sporting his birthday suit ran up to the stumps before racing off the pitch.

Ashton were dismissed for just 141 in 41 overs after losing pairs of wickets at 57, 109 and 129.

Jim Hartshorn and Waterhouse shared six wickets, Hartshorn's at a cost of 32 and Waterehouse giving away 35 runs.

Colin Mountford claimed two for 25 off eight, and there was one for 18 off six overs from Stuart Adlam.

The other Congleton wicket taker was newcomer Australian Michael Maw, who is working as a nurse at the North Staffordshire Hospital for 12 months.

Congleton were in a spot of bother at 41 for three, but a vital partnership of 70 from Rowan Kitton and Waterhouse took them to 111 and on course for victory.

Kitton ended 30 not out, and provided a vital anchor role in holding the innings together.

Adrian Dale made 17, Jonathan Gray hit 16, and Congleton ended on 145 for six to earn a maximum 25 points, leaving them 19 behind third-placed Tattenhall.

Congleton won with 19 overs to spare, and play second-placed Stockport Georgians away this weekend.

''Ashton were going quite well at 57 for two, but then fell apart as a result of good bowling from Kevin Waterhouse and Colin Mountford,'' said Congleton chairman Mike Kitton.

''There was also a superb one-handed catch from wicketkeeper Andy Bayley, the finest I have seen on our ground.

''It was a good, comfortable victory, and our bowling and fielding was the best we have produced this year.

''Our innings was interrupted by a puny, motheaten male streaker, who no-one knew and who resembled the Mr Muscle out of the television advert!''

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